The second day of the central battlefield began beneath a heavy silence.
A silence far more unsettling than the thunder of war.
Throughout the Qin camps, soldiers stood behind their formations with tightened grips on their weapons. Veterans and recruits alike continuously glanced toward the Wei lines.
The previous day's events had shaken everyone.
Gen Pou...
One of Ren Pa's Four Heavenly Kings...
Had fallen.
No one believed Wei would simply accept such a loss.
The generals of Qin expected only one thing.
A devastating retaliation.
...
Morning arrived.
Yet the Wei army remained perfectly still.
No drums.
No banners advancing.
No cavalry probing the front.
Only endless silence.
"What are they doing..."
"Why haven't they attacked?"
"They should be seeking revenge..."
Questions spread across the battlefield.
Hours slowly passed.
The sun climbed overhead before beginning its descent.
Still...
Nothing.
Even the scouts returned with identical reports.
"The Wei army has not moved."
The unease within the Qin ranks only deepened.
By sunset, both armies remained exactly where they had stood since dawn.
Night finally descended over Sanyou.
Inside the headquarters of the Hyou Army...
Several commanders gathered around the campaign map.
Ri Yue.
Lu Shen.
Bao Jun.
Tian Hao.
Mo Yun.
Standing before them was Hyou Ren.
His eyes calmly swept across every officer present.
"Wei has remained motionless for an entire day."
"What are your thoughts?"
There was no immediate answer.
After a brief silence, Ri Yue spoke first.
"They may simply be waiting."
"The death of Gen Pou was a severe blow. Ren Pa could be allowing his army time to reorganize before launching his next offensive."
Several commanders nodded.
Bao Jun crossed his arms.
"I disagree."
"If I were Ren Pa, I would have struck immediately."
"The longer they wait, the more time Qin has to strengthen its defenses."
"Something feels wrong."
Lu Shen narrowed his eyes.
"Perhaps this silence itself is the weapon."
"Making us remain on edge."
"Every hour we expect an attack, our soldiers grow more exhausted."
"A battle can be won before swords are ever drawn."
Mo Yun quietly added another possibility.
"Or Ren Pa has shifted his attention elsewhere."
"The central battlefield may simply be a distraction."
"If his objective lies on another front..."
"...then this entire day of silence was meant to keep us here."
The room fell quiet once more.
Finally, Tian Hao spoke.
"There is another possibility."
"Ren Pa is studying us."
"He lost Gen Pou because he underestimated the Hyou Army."
"He may now be gathering every piece of information before personally making his move."
The commanders exchanged glances.
Every possibility sounded reasonable.
Yet none could be confirmed.
Throughout the discussion...
Hyou Ren remained silent.
He simply listened.
His gaze moved from one commander to another without interruption.
He neither praised nor dismissed a single opinion.
Because a commander who believed only in his own judgment would eventually become blind.
A great general listened before deciding.
Only after hearing every voice could the best path be chosen.
The headquarters became silent once more.
Then…
"General!"
A soldier suddenly burst through the entrance.
His breathing was ragged.
His armor stained with dirt.
Everyone immediately turned toward him.
The messenger dropped to one knee.
"Report!"
"The right central army has come under attack!"
Every commander's eyes widened.
The messenger continued without pausing.
"Enemy banners bearing the crest of Great General Ren Pa have been confirmed!"
"It is Ren Pa himself!"
The atmosphere inside the headquarters instantly froze.
"So..."
Hyou Ren quietly murmured.
"He finally moved."
He stared at the campaign map.
His eyes settled upon the left central sector.
"...A night raid."
The commanders immediately understood.
Rather than seeking revenge in the left center battlefield...
Ren Pa had personally struck another section of the battlefield under the cover of darkness.
Hyou Ren immediately reached his decision.
"Sound the assembly drums."
"Our army marches immediately."
He looked toward every commander gathered before him.
"Ri Yue."
"Lu Shen."
"Bao Jun."
"Tian Hao."
"Mo Yun."
"Prepare your divisions."
"We reinforce the left central army."
The commanders simultaneously saluted.
"Yes, General!"
Outside the headquarters...
War drums echoed across the night.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Thousands of soldiers awoke in an instant.
Torches lit one after another across the Hyou Army camp.
Armor was fastened.
Weapons drawn.
Horses saddled.
The entire Hyou Army began moving into the darkness.
Far away...
The sounds of battle already echoed beneath the moonlight.
And somewhere beyond those...
Ren Pa himself awaited.